Fox’s ‘The X Factor’ ending after 3 seasons

FILE - This Aug. 1, 2013 file photo shows Simon Cowell, a judge on the FOX series "The X Factor," during a panel discussion on the show at the FOX 2013 Summer TCA press tour in Beverly Hills, Calif. Fox and the show's production companies say the U.S. edition of the singing competition won't be returning this fall. Head judge and creator-executive producer Simon Cowell will be returning to the U.K. version of the show later this year. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP, File)

The Associated Press

Published: February 7, 2014;Last modified: February 7, 2014 06:12PM

LOS ANGELES — “The X Factor” is ending after three seasons.

Fox and the show’s production companies announced Friday that the U.S. edition of the singing competition won’t be coming back this fall.

“X Factor” head judge and creator-executive producer Simon Cowell will instead return to the U.K. version of the show later this year.

“I’ve had a fantastic time over the last 12 years, both on ‘The X Factor’ and ‘American Idol,’” Cowell said in a statement. “And apart from being lucky enough to find some amazing talent on the shows, I have always had an incredible welcome from the American public — most of the time!”

The acerbic judge initially predicted that “X Factor” would be a major hit before its 2011 debut, but the show never garnered stellar ratings, which continued to dip in last year’s third season.

The show’s hosts and judging panel was revamped each season with Paul Abdul, Antonio “L.A.” Reid, Britney Spears, Demi Lovato and Kelly Rowland among those joining Cowell on the panel.